Aster (group 1)

This group of Asters is for species that prefer a sunny, or lightly shaded, rich soil - including A. novae-angliae, A. novi-belgii, those now called Symphyotrichum, A. pringlei and their cultivars.

Common name : Aster (group 1)

Scientific name : Aster spp. 1

Family : Asteraceae

Category : Perennials

Type of plant : Perennial

Easy peasy

Flowery

Large pot

Aster is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae once containing 600 species - now only 180 species - and many species formerly in Aster are now in other genera of the tribe Astereae.
Many species and a variety of hybrids and varieties are popular as garden plants because of their attractive and colourful flowers.

Sowing & planting

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Flowering

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Caracteristics

Exposition

Water needs

Granulométrie

plants.granulometry_4

Frost-resistance

High

Zone USDA

5a

Height

30 - 150

pH

7 - 8

Identify my aster

Aster - from the Greek "star", by analogy with the shape of the flower - is a genus of dicotyledonous plants of the family of Asteraceae, very important by the number of species and varieties: more than 600!

Plant my aster

Most asters bloom in autumn, and are also planted in autumn. If you have one of the few species that bloom in the spring, plant them in the spring.
Choose a sunny place or semi shade - to ensure a beautiful bloom! - and not much wet, these asters dread stagnant water.
Prepare the soil with a little digging, scratching and raking.
Plant perennials at a distance of 1/2 of adult height between plants (check spacing precisely on the label or in the literature depending on the cultivar, if you can). Thoroughly tamp the soil to not let air voids in contact with the roots. Water abundantly.

Prop my aster

Train any asters taller than 80 cm in March, otherwise they may droop and sag after rain. A stake and a wire should do the job.

Mulch my aster

Mulching these perennials will save you from watering and weeding and will even fertilize the soil a bit as it decomposes. When choosing, know that dry wood chips are the most inert, but they will last for a longer time. Fresh wood chips and leaves enrich the soil but must be changed often. Grass cuttings are to be used mixed with something else in a layer that is at most 1 cm thick. Mulch with a thickness of at least 5 cm to provide a good level of efficiency.

Water my aster

Asters do not particularly fear drought.
Water grownup plants until the water that you pour does not rush into the ground, and forms a small puddleto their fill, even if it is less frequent.
Unless otherwise specified, do not wet the foliage: the plants "drink" by their roots.
Seedlings should be watered in fine rain. Keep them permanently moist to get germination.

Weed my aster

Cut down my aster

Cut the asters a few inches off the ground in November, before mulching them.

Fertilize my aster

With a respectful approach to soil life, it's always better to fertilize a little in advance with organic material that will decompose; spread out a compost that isn't entirely decomposed, with well decomposed manure at the plant's base, and incorporate over 10 cm with a hoe. This operation is carried out in winter so that earthworms and bacteria have enough time to do their job.

Propagate my aster

Harvest the seeds if you'd like to propagate your plants! Multiply them by seeding in a pot under a cold frame in autumn or spring, after removing the caustic external flesh of the berries, then transplanting them in open soil after the last freeze.